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Is There a Way to Get ESO Plus for Free? The Ultimate Guide

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The burning question for many Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) players is: Can you get ESO Plus for free? The straightforward answer is yes, but only temporarily. Zenimax Online Studios (ZOS) periodically offers free trials of ESO Plus, allowing players to experience the benefits of the subscription service without paying a dime. These free trials are your gateway to enjoying the perks of ESO Plus without the financial commitment, albeit for a limited time.

Understanding ESO Plus Free Trials

How to Access ESO Plus Free Trials

ESO Plus free trials aren’t a constant fixture; they appear at the discretion of ZOS, typically coinciding with game events or promotional periods. Here’s how to claim them:

Log into The Elder Scrolls Online: Make sure you have the game installed and are able to access your account.
Navigate to the Crown Store: The Crown Store is your in-game shop, accessible from the main menu.
Select the ESO Plus Tab: Within the Crown Store, look for the ESO Plus tab. It usually highlights the benefits of the subscription.
Select “Free Trial!”: During a free trial period, a clearly marked “Free Trial!” option will be available. Select this to activate your trial.

Frequency and Duration of Free Trials

ESO Plus free trials generally occur around three times a year, though this is subject to change. Each trial typically lasts for approximately one week. Keep an eye on official ESO channels (website, forums, social media) for announcements regarding upcoming free trials. Missing out means waiting for the next opportunity.

What You Get (and Don’t Get) During a Free Trial

During an ESO Plus free trial, you gain access to almost everything a paid subscription would grant, including:

Access to DLC Game Packs: This is the biggest draw. You can explore zones like Imperial City, Orsinium, Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, Morrowind (zone and story), Summerset, and many more. The article mentions Shadows of the Hist, Horns of the Reach, Clockwork City, Dragon Bones, Wolfhunter, Murkmire, Wrathstone, Scalebreaker, and Dragonhold.
Craft Bag: Enjoy unlimited storage for all your crafting materials, a huge quality-of-life improvement.
Double Bank Space: Expand your bank storage significantly.
10% Bonus Experience, Gold, and Inspiration: Level up faster and earn more resources.
Increased Furnishing Limits: Decorate your homes with more items.
Dye Stamps: Apply dyes to outfits, costumes, and armor.
Transmutation Crystals: A resource for changing traits on your gear, acquired faster during the trial.

However, there are limitations:

Companions: You will not have access to Companions from the Blackwood or High Isle Chapters during the free trial.
Monthly Crown Stipend: The monthly crown allowance and exclusive ESO Plus deals are not available during the free trial.

Living Without ESO Plus: Is ESO Worth It?

Even without ESO Plus, The Elder Scrolls Online remains a robust and enjoyable game. The base game provides a vast amount of content, and buying the game itself is often considered a one-time purchase to play it.

Benefits of Playing Without a Subscription

Vast Base Game Content: The base game offers countless hours of gameplay, quests, and exploration.
No Level Caps: You can level up indefinitely without a subscription.
One-Time Purchase: Unlike some MMOs, you only need to buy the game itself to play it.

Downsides of Playing Without a Subscription

Limited Access to DLCs: You’ll need to purchase DLCs individually with Crowns or wait for free trials to experience them.
Inventory Management: The lack of the Craft Bag makes inventory management a constant challenge. Consider creating alt characters to use as extra storage.

Smart Strategies for Playing Without ESO Plus

Focus on the Base Game Content: Explore all the base game zones and quests before considering DLCs.
Manage Your Inventory Carefully: Be selective about which crafting materials you pick up. Focus on materials you will immediately use.
Purchase DLCs During Sales: Keep an eye out for sales on DLC packs, especially bundles like the “4 Guilds” pack or specific Chapter DLCs such as Elsweyr.
Capitalize on Free Trials: Maximize your playtime during ESO Plus free trials to enjoy the DLCs and Craft Bag.

Making the Most of ESO Plus When You Have It

If you choose to subscribe, or during a free trial, maximize the benefits:

Explore as Many DLC Zones as Possible: Focus on completing quests and exploring areas in the DLC zones.
Gather Crafting Materials: Fill your Craft Bag to the brim while you have unlimited storage.
Level Up Quickly: Take advantage of the experience bonus to level up your character and skills.
Farm Transmutation Crystals: Participate in activities that reward Transmutation Crystals to stockpile them for future gear optimization.

The Value Proposition: Is ESO Plus Worth the Cost?

Whether ESO Plus is “worth it” depends on your play style and priorities.

For Dedicated Crafters: The Craft Bag alone is worth the subscription for serious crafters.
For Completionists: Access to all DLCs is essential for players who want to experience all the content.
For Casual Players: If you only play occasionally, buying DLCs individually during sales might be more cost-effective.

ESO continually evolves, offering new content and experiences. Keep an eye on the Games Learning Society website ( GamesLearningSociety.org ) for insightful analyses of game mechanics and design. Understanding the game’s systems can help you make informed decisions about whether ESO Plus is right for you.

Cancelling ESO Plus

Cancelling ESO Plus is straightforward. Simply navigate to your account settings on the Elder Scrolls Online website and follow the instructions to cancel your subscription. Remember that you’ll retain access to the benefits until the end of your current billing period.

FAQs about ESO Plus and Free Trials

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of ESO Plus and free trials:

1. How often is ESO Plus free?

ESO Plus free trials typically occur around three times a year.

2. What happens if I stop paying for ESO Plus?

You’ll lose access to DLC game packs you haven’t purchased with Crowns, but you’ll keep all the items, achievements, gold, and experience you earned while playing them.

3. What DLC is free with ESO Plus?

As mentioned, **ESO Plus** unlocks a large amount of **DLC game packs**, including **Imperial City, Orsinium, Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, Shadows of the Hist, Horns of the Reach, Clockwork City, Dragon Bones, Morrowind (zone and story), Wolfhunter, Murkmire, Wrathstone, Summerset, Scalebreaker, and Dragonhold.**

4. Why is ESO subscription so expensive?

Running the servers 24/7 requires significant resources, including electricity and maintenance.

5. Can you play ESO without a subscription?

Yes, you can play the base game indefinitely after purchasing it.

6. How many crowns do you get for 6 months of ESO plus?

You'll receive **9900 crowns** for a 180-day membership. (1650 crowns per month)

7. What version of ESO should I buy 2023?

The **Necrom edition** includes the base game and all currently available chapters as of 2023.

8. What do you get with ESO for free?

All new ESO accounts receive 500 free crowns to spend in the Crown Store.

9. What is the point of ESO plus?

ESO Plus provides VIP perks like full access to DLC game packs, a monthly crown stipend, unlimited crafting material storage, and more.

10. Does ESO plus give you everything?

**ESO Plus** provides access to all **DLC game packs** but does **not** include the most recent chapter or access to the **Necromancer** or **Warden** classes.

11. When did ESO drop the subscription?

A subscription is no longer needed to play the game since **March 17, 2015.**

12. Is it easy to cancel ESO Plus?

Yes, you can easily cancel your subscription through your account settings on the **ESO** website.

13. Is ESO free to play 2023?

**ESO** occasionally has **free play events**, providing access to the base game for a limited time.

14. Should I play ESO in 2023?

If you enjoy expansive open worlds and character customization, **ESO** is still worth playing in 2023.

15. Is The Elder Scrolls Online pay to win?

ESO is not pay-to-win. There are no items that can be bought in the game that can be used in combat or that makes the game easier.